In addition to the alphabet soup, language barriers exist. In Chicago, for example, several languages are commonly spoken. We have English, Spanish, Polish, and South Side.

To solve this problem, Silent Safety presents a video with no language.

Zero words are spoken.

There’s no text either.

It’s just for watching.

This particular edition was to inform job seekers of the expected uniform required on the job.

Boots, jeans, safety vest & glasses, hardhat, etc.

After 10 minutes of the video and the grating ‘70’s instrumental, I thought it was an interesting idea. Albeit one I wanted to quit watching immediately. I was skeptical of how many companies would find this as a solution.

About an hour later I stopped by a landscaper’s booth. I chatted amiably with the marketing director for a bit. Then I mentioned the Landscaping Spanish Seminar Red Angle[1] is hosting next week for English-speaking managers.

“Would you be interested in hearing more about it?”

A deep voice from the back of the booth came my way, “No way. Not interested. No thanks.”

I was then introduced to the owner.

The owner was not interested in our introduction.

No eye contact.

Curt handshake.

“Yeah, hi. Nice to meet ya…. Not interested. No thanks. They gotta learn English in America….”

I asked if he ever considered in investing in Landscape English training for his Spanish-speakers.

“Nope, not my problem. It’s up to them.”

Ok.

Not the first time someone has expressed this sentiment.

I said I understood, we had 30 seconds of mini-talk and I wished him luck.